UNCOVER THE VERY BEST IN CRIME AND THRILLER WRITING
Selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020
WINNER OF THE MCILVANNEY DEBUT PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE MCILVANNEY PRIZE SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AND CWA JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) AWARDS
‘(a) meticulous and compelling novel about the aftermath of a major crime and its effect on the affected families and investigating officers both.’ Ian Rankin
***
In the aftermath of a tragedy, the world needs an explanation.
In Edinburgh, after the Three Rivers College shooting, some things are clear.
They know who. They know when.
No one can say why.
For three women the lack of answers is unbearable: DI Helen Birch, the detective charged with solving the case. Ishbel, the mother of the first victim, struggling to cope with her grief. And Moira, mother of the killer, who needs to understand what happened to her son.
But as people search for someone to blame, the truth seems to vanish…
From a prizewinning poet, ALL THE HIDDEN TRUTHS is a searing, compelling and powerful debut.
‘As scarily plausible as it is utterly captivating, this is an absorbing and unforgettable debut.’ Heat
‘Raw, powerful, compassionate and deeply moving, with page-turning tension to the end. A stunning debut.’ Karen Robinson, Sunday Times Crime Club
‘You’ll be gripped by the unexpected truths that emerge. Compelling.’ Marie Claire
WINNER OF THE MCILVANNEY DEBUT PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE MCILVANNEY PRIZE SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AND CWA JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) AWARDS
‘(a) meticulous and compelling novel about the aftermath of a major crime and its effect on the affected families and investigating officers both.’ Ian Rankin
***
In the aftermath of a tragedy, the world needs an explanation.
In Edinburgh, after the Three Rivers College shooting, some things are clear.
They know who. They know when.
No one can say why.
For three women the lack of answers is unbearable: DI Helen Birch, the detective charged with solving the case. Ishbel, the mother of the first victim, struggling to cope with her grief. And Moira, mother of the killer, who needs to understand what happened to her son.
But as people search for someone to blame, the truth seems to vanish…
From a prizewinning poet, ALL THE HIDDEN TRUTHS is a searing, compelling and powerful debut.
‘As scarily plausible as it is utterly captivating, this is an absorbing and unforgettable debut.’ Heat
‘Raw, powerful, compassionate and deeply moving, with page-turning tension to the end. A stunning debut.’ Karen Robinson, Sunday Times Crime Club
‘You’ll be gripped by the unexpected truths that emerge. Compelling.’ Marie Claire
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Reviews
Gripping, heartbreaking and horrifyingly plausible. I couldn't tear myself away from this book. Claire Askew is a stunning new voice in crime fiction.
This is a such a clever, brave book. Askew looks unflinchingly at the unimaginable, but her writing is wrought with compassion. It's as heart-rending as it is gripping.
Emotionally engrossing, morally challenging, horribly topical
A gripping, thought provoking and ultimately uplifting crime debut. I love that this book, which focusses on a crime against women, is itself about women and not the man that committed the crime. A story of how, when something terrible happens, you might start to pick up some of the tiny little pieces of your life and try to find a way through. The story, the characters and the city are all vivid and utterly alive and they left me feeling angry and full of adrenaline and love.
There's so much to enjoy about this compelling debut. The three different viewpoints really pulled me in to the story, and got me thinking about the nature of victimhood as well as collective social responsibility. This is a timely, relevant, and thought-provoking novel.
A novel so shockingly current that it seems to fictionalise the world even as it changes around us.
When we think about Edinburgh crime our thoughts turn to Ian Rankin and Val McDermid. Claire Askew could be up there with them.
Really excellent - totally gripping... very realistic. One to look out for
You'll be gripped by the unexpected truths that emerge. Compelling.
This novel will no doubt be a summer hit.
Raw, powerful, compassionate and deeply moving, with page-turning tension to the end. A stunning debut.
ALL THE HIDDEN TRUTHS is a marvel... Absorbing and suspenseful, it's a thought-provoking debut novel
Moving and memorable.
A searing, heart-breaking thriller.
As scarily plausible as it is utterly captivating, this is an absorbing and unforgettable debut.
Gripping
This is a gripping debut crime thriller that draws you in with plenty of accurately observed characters and a well-drawn setting. It is the page-turner promised and well worth losing yourself in.
An intricate, pacy, risky and intriguing novel.
A fantastic read.
Claire Askew takes us away from the obvious plot and asks us tantalising questions... the three women... form an absorbing psychological trio for Askew's thought-provoking, upsetting entry into crime fiction.
...it deserves every accolade. This psychological suspense story is one of the best books of the year...Askew is a writer on the rise.
Claire Askew brought us a new kind of crime story in 2018. ALL THE HIDDEN TRUTHS is a taut and thoughtful look at toxic masculinity, public tragedy and the women left picking up the pieces.
UK publisher Hodder & Stoughton touts ALL THE HIDDEN TRUTHS as its lead crime debut of the year, and it's not just hype.
(a) meticulous and compelling novel about the aftermath of a major crime and its effect on the affected families and investigating officers both.
The aftermath of an Edinburgh college shooting is seen through the experiences of three women: a victim's
mother, the shooter's mother and the detective in charge of the case. Raw, powerful, compassionate and
deeply moving, with page-turning tension to the end.
Ian Rankin and the capital's other crime writers are going to have to look to their laurels. There's a new kid in town.
Splendid debut... thoughtful and well-written.
A well-written investigation of individual and collective responsibility.
(a) Fine, thought-provoking debut
This is a gripping debut crime thriller that draws you in with plenty of accurately-observed characters and a well-drawn setting. It is the page-turner promised and well worth losing yourself in.
Damn, this is a good book... a debut of such power, and of such verve.
Stunning debut... compellingly written.
